Thierry Henry Lights Up New York in MLS Debut

• July
• 23

From very early on in the international friendly Thursday night between the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer and Tottenham of the English Premier League, one player clearly stood out. You would think that the player would be sporting a Spurs kit considering Tottenham play in one of the best world football leagues in the world, and the Red Bulls are a average team in America’s 14-year-old professional league. However, it was the Red Bulls’ newest signing, Thierry Henry, that looked to be the man of the match in the 45 minutes he played inside Red Bulls Arena. Henry showed a crowd of 20,000+ fans at Red Bull Arena why at one time he was considered the best striker in the world. The famous Frenchmen created a number of chances for himself in the first half of New York’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham, and scored his first professional goal in America. The five-time French player of the Year displayed his ability to anticipate the game faster than anyone on the field, culminating in a brilliant flick-on goal off a Joe Lindpere cross in the 22nd minute. Henry in the end may turn out to be a bigger success story for MLS  than one David Beckham. Beckham has spent the better part of his time in America either hurt or on loan in Europe, while Henry is healthy and unlikely to look for any loan deals in the off season. Henry’s debut in New York clearly indicated that the star still has a lot of gas in the tank, and could tear MLS opponents to pieces this season.

Let the Miami Heat Dynasty Begin

• July
• 9

The wait is over. LeBron James is teaming up with Dwyane Wade & Chris Bosh in South Florida, and the demand for 2010 Miami Heat tickets just went through the roof. They’re partying on South Beach and crying in Cuyahoga county today. Last night on his ESPN special “The Decision”, LeBron James broke the hearts of Cleveland sports fans with his announcement that he’d be leaving the Cavaliers. For two solid years people have been talking about where the like of James, Wade, and Bosh would end up in 2010, but very few predicted that all three would end up on the same team. Over the course of two days the Miami Heat have become the favorite to win the Eastern Conference next season, and possibly the NBA Finals. James told ESPN interviewer Jim Gray that Wade, Bosh, and himself are open to taking less money to help the team sign better role players. Whether you love it or hate it, the three-headed monster that has formed in Miami will make the 2010-11 NBA season incredibly more interesting.

What Does Carlos Boozer Mean to the Bulls?

• July
• 7

The Chicago Bulls acted fast to make sure they were not left empty handed at the NBA free agency free-for-all by gaining the signature of former Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer. Although disappointed to hear news of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh going to Miami,  the Bulls improved their roster by signing Boozer to a 5 year, $80 million contract. Boozer gives the Bulls a pure scorer in the paint who can help Joakim Noah dominate the boards. The former Duke Blue Demon is a rock solid 20 & 10 guy who can defend the post, and be a positive character in the locker room. Boozer also might be the sweatiest guy in the NBA. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but it’s something. Boozer has tons of playoff experience which could come in handy. It’s looking less likely as were near the superstar’s mega-announcement tomorrow that LeBron is coming to Chicago, but nothing is official yet. It certainly doesn’t hurt that now Boozer is in a Bulls uniform. If the Bulls can sign a free agent shooter (say Ray Allen, Michael Redd) then I think they can possibly be a contender. The way things are going everything could be very different in 24 hours.

Will We See Fireworks at UFC 116?

• July
• 2

There’s nothing more American than two giant men inside a octagon beating the crap out of each other. Ok, maybe we’ll spot you your mother’s apple pie and that red, white, and blue bandanna you wore in college, but UFC has become a true phenomenon in the USA. UFC 116 will take place this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada with heavyweight Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin going toe-to-toe. The anticipation for these two Goliaths to get inside the Octagon together is nearing record heights. Their isn’t one heavyweight boxing star that grabs the worldwide attention, but Lesnar and Carwin are both popular fighters. Brock Lesnar is a former college wrestler and WWE star whose size and strength has yet to be rivaled in UFC. Shane Carwin is a veteran MMA who has never lost in UFC or let an opponent get out of the second round. Lesnar is a physical marvel who pummels opponents like a giant Viking. Carwin is a intelligent fighter who can end fights with his devastating punching attack.

US Comeback to Earn Desperate Draw with Slovenia

• June
• 18

The United States national team’s World Cup life flashed before their eyes Friday evening in Johannesburg in what many have called the most entertaining game thus far in the tournament. The reality of the going home set in after the US went down to Slovenia 2-0 in the first half of their second World Cup match. Coach Bob Bradley made two substitutions at half time, bringing in midfielders Maurice Edu and Benny Feilhaber into the fold. Landon Donovan (the United States’ all-time leading goal scorer) rose to the occasion in the 48th minute. After a pass from US right back Steve Cherundolo got past Slovenia’s Bostian Cesar, Donovan coolly raced toward the goalies box, faked like he was going to pass the ball into the center, and buried it into the back of the net.

Midfielder Michael Bradley, son of US head coach Bob Bradley, dashed onto a Jozy Altidore header in the 82nd minute tieing the game at 2-2. Three minutes later Maurice Edu put another ball in the Slovenians net, but referee Koman Coulibaly called the goal off for a mysterious foul. The US in the end fought back for a important draw, but everyone will wonder what would have been had Coulibaly got the call right. The United States will play for their right to move on to the second round in their final group stage match next Wednesday against Algeria.

Celtics Take Control of NBA Finals From Lakers

• June
• 14

The 2010 NBA Finals champion will be decided in the city of Los Angeles. The Boston Celtics, however, will be the team with all the momentum. As was the case in 2008, Boston’s Paul Pierce led the Celts pass the Lakers last night. Time and time again, Boston isolated the Lakers defense so Pierce could attack the basket, resulting in 27 points. The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant outscored Pierce on Sunday night with 38 points, but got little help from his teammates. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers didn’t rely on his bench like in Game 4, but got solid play from blossoming star Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Garnett, at the age of 34, had his best game of the NBA Finals with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks. Pau Gasol was the only other Laker Sunday night to end the night in double figures with a measly 12 points. The Celtics will have a chance to lock up the Larry O’Brien Trophy on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

US Soccer’s Left Back Curse

• June
• 4

The long heralded inconsistency at the left back position on the United States men’s national team has been well documented over the years, but the team still continues struggle on the left side of defense. As the Americans’ gear up for their first game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against England, they must at least feel better about the position with captain Carlos Bocanegra moving over to the left from central defense. The 2006 World Cup vet has played in the middle of the defense for the majority of his career barring his last two years in France with mid-level club Rennes. Bocanegra doesn’t give the US blazing pace down the wing, but he typically makes intelligent, experienced decisions on the field. Over the last few years, head coach Bob Bradley gave most of his starts at the left back position to Chivas USA’s Jonathan Borenstein and former Hansa Rostock and current FC Dallas defender Heath Pearce.

Up until Bob Bradley announced the 23 players he’d take to the World Cup, neither Borenstein or Pearce appeared to have won the position. Borenstein, despite his numerous mistakes on the international level over the last two years, was selected over Pearce. Looking at the current crop of MLS left backs it makes one wonder why Bradley didn’t give the LA Galaxy’s Todd Dunivant more of a look during qualifying or the Gold Cup. Other MLSers such as Chris Wingert, Tony Beltran, Mike Chabala, or Jordan Harvey also could have warranted a looksy. It would have also been nice to see more of lighting-quick Edgar Castillo who’s played five seasons in Mexico, but the fact is the 23 man team for South Africa is already chosen and we all have to on. You’d have to hope a larger group of guys will get looks at the left back position in the next world cup cycle.

Hoping for Nadal-Federer Final at the French Open

• May
• 28

It’s the match everyone wants to see. If it happens tennis tickets sellers would see a demand unlike any other match. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are both still alive in the French Open. When he tournament concludes on June 6th hopefully we will have a Nadal-Federer final on our hands. Nadal will be the favorite as the 23-year-old Spaniard thrives on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Nicknamed “The King of Clay”, Nadal lost his first match on clay last year to Robin Soderling. His adversary, Federer, claimed his first French Open in 2009, the only Grand Slam he hadn’t won already in his illustrious career. The one thing he hasn’t done though is beat Nadal on clay. Perhaps he’ll have his opportunity a week from Sunday in Paris.

Keep Your Eye on Jordan Spieth

• May
• 25

At the ripe age of 16-years-old, Jordan Spieth wrote his name into the history books in Irving, TX at the Byron Nelson Championship last weekend. Speith, a Dallas native, shot a 69 in the opening round to become the sixth youngest golfer to make the cut at a PGA Tour event. Finishing in a tie for 16th, Spieth certainly held his own in the tournament. Kenny Perry commented about Spieth’s youth joking, “I’ve got underwear older than him”. After news spread of Spieth making the cut in Irving, the U.S. Junior Champion enjoyed a Tiger-like following all throughout the tournament. Spieth himself remained grateful of an opportunity to play alongside veteran pro golfers like Corey Pavin and David Lutterus. Being a amateur golfer, Spieth did not get to take home his winnings of $94,250, but did take his first step into the spotlight of professional golf. Having already committed to play golf at Texas, Spieth might be amateur for a few more years, but expect to hear a lot more Jordan Spieth in the near future.

Lesnar vs Carwin Could Be Legendary…or Not

• May
• 21

Fans have been all over the web in hopes of unearthing UFC 116 tickets with Brock Lesnar scheduled to battle Shane Carwin for the UFC Heavyweight title. Carwin won the interim heavyweight championship, while Lesnar was recovering from a serious intestinal problems, but now the former WWE star is back and ready to reclaim his place atop UFC. Lesnar will be the favorite as he’s dominated his competition thus far in his career in MMA (besides a solitary loss to Frank Mir by submission). Lesnar and Carwin are both former NCAA heavyweight national champions and have the ability to end a fight with just one punch. A part-time engineer, Carwin is a very intelligent fighter who’s in peak physical condition. No one’s been able to really deal with Lesnar’s combination of Herculean size, strength, and wrestling ability. If Carwin can make the fight interesting on July 3rd fans will be very happy.